Trail camera

ABSTRACT

A camera mount may include a base member having a rear face to face a support structure and a front face, the front face a curved guide surface, a camera support having a rear face facing the front face of the base member, the rear face of the camera support comprising a guide abutting surface and a retainer resiliently biasing the guide abutting surface against the curved guide surface to releasably retain the camera support at one of a plurality of different positions along the curved guide surface and at one of a plurality of different available orientations relative to the support structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cameras are sometimes mounted or secured to trees or other supportingstructures for purposes such as wildlife observation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein are example camera mounts that facilitate securement ofa camera to a supporting structure, such as a tree, without beingrestricted or limited by the angle at which the supporting structure ortree extends. Disclosed herein are example camera mounts that providethe supported camera with a plurality of different availableorientations or angles relative to the supporting structure. Disclosedherein are example camera mounts that are easy to assemble anddisassemble, that are less complex and costly and that are compact so asto better hug or follow the profile of the tree or supporting structureso as to be less conspicuous to the wildlife being observed.

Disclosed herein are example camera mounts that may include a basemember having a rear face to face a support structure and a front face,the front face a curved guide surface, a camera support having a rearface facing the front face of the base member, the rear face of thecamera support comprising a guide abutting surface and a springresiliently biasing the guide abutting surface against the curved guidesurface to releasably retain the camera support at one of a plurality ofdifferent positions along the curved guide surface and at one of aplurality of different available orientations relative to the supportstructure.

Disclosed herein are example camera mounts that may include a ball or aportion of a ball and a socket having a minority spherical surface thatreceives the ball or the portion of the ball, wherein the ball or theportion of the ball rotates within the socket to allow a camera supportto be positioned at a selected one of a plurality of available positionsand orientations. For purposes of this disclosure, a “minority sphericalsurface” refers to a spherical surface (concave or convex) that is equalto or less than one half of a sphere (less than equal to asemi-spherical surface). One example of a minority spherical surface isa semi-spherical surface. In the form of a socket, the minorityspherical surface does not wrap around the ball or portion of the ballsuch that the ball may be easily withdrawn from the socket. The smallersize of the socket provides a reduced thickness. Likewise, inimplementations where the ball is less than an entire ball, such as asemi-spherical ball, the ball has a reduced thickness. The springretains the ball and the socket in a nested relationship despite thesocket being a minority spherical surface and not wrapping aboutopposite portions of the ball or not capturing the ball. Reducing thethickness of the interface between the camera support and the base mayallow the camera mount to more closely hug or align with the profile ofthe tree or supporting structure such that the camera is lessconspicuous to wildlife being observed.

Disclosed herein are trail cameras with top loading removable batterypacks, interchangeable skins for protection and concealment, and aremote aim detection and remote aiming system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the first side view of portions of an example camera mount ina partially disassembled state.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the example camera mount of 1assembled and in a first example orientation.

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the example camera mount of 1assembled and in two alternate example orientations.

FIG. 4 is a front view of another example camera mount.

FIG. 5 is a second side view of another example camera mount, a firstside view of the example camera mount of FIG. 5 shown in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 6 is a front view of another example camera mount.

FIG. 7 is a second side view of another example camera mount, a firstside view of the example camera mount shown in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of another example camera mount.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the example camera mount ofFIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the example camera mount of FIGS. 8-9assembled and mounted to a tree.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the example camera mount of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of an additional alternate embodimentof a camera mount.

FIG. 13 is an exploded rear perspective view of the camera mount of FIG.12.

FIG. 14 is a front view of a component of a camera mount of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the camera mount of FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a top view, with portions broken away, of the camera mount ofFIG. 12.

FIG. 17 is a top exploded, in-use view of the camera mount of FIG. 12.

FIGS. 18-21 are top in-use views of the camera mount of FIG. 12.

FIG. 22 is a side, in-use view of the camera mount of FIG. 12.

FIG. 23 is a side perspective view of a camera mount equipped with aprotective skin.

FIG. 24 is a side perspective view of an alternate camera mount equippedwith a protective skin.

FIG. 25 is a side view of the camera mount equipped with a protectiveskin of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is an exploded rear view of the camera mount equipped with aprotective skin of FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 is a side perspective view of an in-use camera mount and camera.

FIG. 28 is the camera of FIG. 27, with a battery pack removed from a topside of the camera under a hinged lid.

FIG. 29 is a rear view of the battery pack of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of real-time communication from the camerato a remote viewer, such as a phone, identifying a camera target;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of real-time communication from the camerato a remote viewer, with the target moving in coordination with movementof the camera in order to focus on an intended zone;

FIG. 32 is a side view of a viewer with telephoto to wide-anglefeatures;

FIG. 33 shows a photo from the camera in the intended zone.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar,but not necessarily identical, elements. The figures are not necessarilyto scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearlyillustrate the example shown. Moreover, the drawings provide examplesand/or implementations consistent with the description; however, thedescription is not limited to the examples and/or implementationsprovided in the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Disclosed herein are example camera mounts that facilitate securement ofa camera to a supporting structure, such as a tree, without beingrestricted or limited by the angle at which the supporting structure ortree (or other supporting structure, such as a post, wall, sticks, orthe like) extends. Disclosed herein are example camera mounts thatprovide the supported camera with a plurality of different availableorientations or angles relative to the supporting structure. Disclosedherein are example camera mounts that are easy to assemble anddisassemble, that are less complex and costly and that are compact so asto better hug or follow the profile of the tree or supporting structureso as to be less conspicuous to the wildlife being observed.

Disclosed herein are example camera mounts that may include a basemember having a rear face to face a support structure and a front face,the front face a curved guide surface, a camera support having a rearface facing the front face of the base member, the rear face of thecamera support comprising a guide abutting surface and a springresiliently biasing the guide abutting surface against the curved guidesurface to releasably retain the camera support at one of a plurality ofdifferent positions along the curved guide surface and at one of aplurality of different available orientations relative to the supportstructure.

Disclosed herein are example camera mounts that may include a ball or aportion of a ball and a socket having a minority spherical surface thatreceives the ball or the portion of the ball, wherein the ball or theportion of the ball rotates within the socket to allow a camera supportto be positioned at a selected one of a plurality of available positionsand orientations. For purposes of this disclosure, a “minority sphericalsurface” refers to a spherical surface (concave or convex) that is equalto or less than one half of a sphere (less than equal to asemi-spherical surface). One example of a minority spherical surface isa semi-spherical surface. In the form of a socket, the minorityspherical surface does not wrap around the ball or portion of the ballsuch that the ball may be easily withdrawn from the socket. The smallersize of the socket provides a reduced thickness. Likewise, inimplementations where the ball is less than an entire ball, such as asemi-spherical ball, the ball has a reduced thickness. The springretains the ball and the socket in a nested relationship despite thesocket being a minority spherical surface and not wrapping aboutopposite portions of the ball or not capturing the ball. Reducing thethickness of the interface between the camera support and the base mayallow the camera mount to more closely hug or align with the profile ofthe tree or supporting structure such that the camera is lessconspicuous to wildlife being observed.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an example camera mount 20 (shown disassembledor exploded) for securing a camera 22 to a supporting structure, such asa tree 24. Camera mount 20 facilitates securement of camera 22 to asupporting structure, such as tree 24, without being restricted orlimited by the angle at which the supporting structure or tree extends.Camera mount 20 provides the supported camera 22 with a plurality ofdifferent available orientations or angles relative to the supportingstructure. Camera mount 20 is easy to assemble and disassemble, is lesscomplex and costly and is compact so as to better hug or follow theprofile of the tree or supporting structure so as to be less conspicuousto the wildlife being observed. Camera mount 20 comprises base 30,camera support 32 and retainer 34.

Base 30 comprises a structure to be removably or releasably mounted to asupport structure, such as tree 24. For purposes of this disclosure, theterm “releasably” or “removably” with respect to an attachment orcoupling of two structures means that the two structures may berepeatedly connected and disconnected to and from one another. Base 30comprises backing 38, mount 40 and curved guide 42. Backing 30 abuts aside of the tree 24, with the rear face 44 of backing 30 facing tree 24and a front face 46 facing away from tree 24.

Mount 40 comprise a mechanism to releasably secure backing 38 to tree24. In one implementation, retainer 44 comprises a pair of straps whichencircle the tree 24 and cinch backing 38 to tree 24. In otherimplementations, mount 40 may comprise other retaining mechanisms suchas snaps, screws or the like.

Curved guide 42 extends from backing 44 along the front face 46 ofbacking 44. Curved guide 42 provides a curved convex surface 48 alongwhich camera support 32 may slide or glide when being moved betweendifferent orientations. As will be described hereafter, in someimplementations, curved guide 42 may comprise a semicircular discprojecting from backing 38 or a pair of spaced semicircular discsprojecting from backing 38, wherein the exterior edge or periphery ofthe discs form or provide the curved convex surface 48. In someimplementations, curved guide 42 may comprise a minority sphericalsurface, such as a semi-spherical dome. In yet other implementations,curved surface 42 may comprise a sphere or ball.

Camera support 32 comprises a structure that releasably or removablysupports a camera 22. In some implementations, support 32 may bepermanently affixed or formed as part of camera 22. Camera support 32has a rear face 50 that faces front face 46 of backing 38. Rear face 50comprises a guide abutting surface 54. Guide abutting surface 54contacts the curved guide surface 42 and rides along the curved guidesurface 42. In the example illustrated, guide abutting surface 54comprises a concave surface that substantially mates with the convexsurface of surface 42 such that curved guide 42 is partially received ornested within the concave interior of guide abutting surface 54.

In the example illustrated, guide abutting surface 54 comprises aminority spherical surface. The minority spherical surface permitscamera support 32 to be slid and rotated along the exterior of curvedguide surface 42 between different orientations in which camera 22 facesin different angles with respect to support 24. The minority sphericalsurface formed a partial socket that enables curved guide 42 be easilywithdrawn from the partial socket. The smaller size of the formed socketprovides camera mount 32 with a reduced thickness and smaller profile.

Retainer 34 retains camera support 32 against curved guide 42 in thevarious positions or orientations of camera support 32. In the exampleillustrated, retainer 34 comprise a tension spring having a first endsecured to camera support 34 and a second end to be secured to base 30.In one implementation, retainer 34 is symmetrically positioned withrespect to curved guide 42. As a result, retainer 34 does not biascamera support 32 to one side or the other with respect to curved guide42. In the example illustrated in which retainer 34 comprises a tensionspring, retainer 34 automatically adjusts to the changing positions ofcamera support 32, adjusting to the different distances between camerasupport 32 and backing 38 as camera support 32 is repositioned alongcurved guide 42. Because retainer 34 comprises a tension spring,retainer 34 need not be secured to backing 38 at a location equidistantfrom all points along the curved surface of curved guide 42,facilitating use of the curved guide 42 that is less than semisphericalor that extends less than 180°.

In other implementations, portions of retainer 34 may comprise aflexible cable or a link, such as a rod, wherein a flexible cable linkis connected in series with at least one tension spring. In someimplementations, retainer 34 may be formed wholly from a flexible cableor a link pivotally connected at opposite ends to backing 38 and camerasupport 32, where the cable or link is pivotally connected to backing 38at a location equidistant from all surfaces of curved guide 42.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate camera mount 20 in an assembled state andsupported by tree 24. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate retainer 34interconnecting base 30 and camera support 32. In the exampleillustrated, retainer 34 is connected at or proximate to backing 38 atlocation 56, behind the curved surface 48 of curved guide 42. As shownby 2 and 3, retainer 34 retains camera mount 32 (and the supportedcamera 22) against curved surface 48 of curved guide 42 in variouspositions along curved surface 48 such that camera 22 may be oriented atvarious possible orientations and angled with respect to tree 24. In theexample illustrated, because curved surface 48 extends equal to or lessthan 180° about its radius center and because guide abutting surfacebefore extends less than or equal to 180° about its radius center,camera mount 20 has a reduced thickness T, allowing camera mount 20 tomore closely follow the surface of tree 24 and to be less conspicuous tothe wildlife being captured by camera 22.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate portions of an example camera mount 120. FIG. 4is a front view of base 130 of camera mount 120. FIG. 5 is a first sideview of camera mount 120, with a second side view (perpendicular to thefirst side view) of camera mount 120 corresponding to what is depictedin FIGS. 1-3. Camera mount 120 comprises base 130 and camera support132. Those components of camera mount 120 which correspond to componentsof camera mount 20 are numbered similarly.

Base 130 is similar to base 30 except that base 130 comprises curvedguide 142 in the form of a pair of spaced semi-spherical plates or discs144. Discs 144 have outer edge surfaces 146 that are curved and convex,providing a curved guide surface 48 (described above). In the exampleillustrated, the outer edge surfaces 146 are textured. In oneimplementation, the outer edge surfaces 146 have knobs, fingers, ridges,ribs or other high friction structures that assist in retaining camerasupport 132 in a selected position or orientation with respect to discs144.

Camera support 132 is similar to camera support 32 except that camerasupport port 132 comprises guide abutting surfaces 154. Guide abuttingsurfaces 154 move or slide along outer edge surfaces 146. In the exampleillustrated, guide abutting surfaces 154 comprise concave edges thatabut against the convex edge surfaces 146. In one implementation, guideabutting surfaces 154 have a radius of curvature that corresponds to theradius of curvature of outer edge surfaces 146 for close conformalnesting. In one implementation, guide abutting surfaces 154 aretextured. In one implementation, the guide abutting surfaces 154 haveknobs, fingers, ridges, ribs or other high friction structures thatassist in retaining camera support 132 in a selected position ororientation with respect to discs 144.

As further shown by FIGS. 4 and 5, retainer 34 is symmetricallypositioned with respect to the plates or discs 144. Retainer 34 retainsand biases surface 154 against surfaces 146. Retainer 34 changes shapeor flexes to accommodate the different angles at which camera support132 is positioned along outer edge surfaces 146. In one implementation,the semi spherical plates or discs 144 have a radial center pointslocated along a single horizontal axis when backing 38 is supported totree 24, facilitating repositioning of camera support 130 to differentangular positions with respect to the horizontal, pointing furtherupward or pointing further downward as selected by the user. In otherimplementations, the semi spherical plates or discs 144 have a radialcenter points located along a single vertical axis when backing 38 issupported to tree 24, facilitating repositioning of camera support 130to different angular positions with respect to the vertical, pointingfurther to the left or pointing further to the right as selected by theuser

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate portions of an example camera mount 220. FIG. 6is a front view of base 230 of camera mount 220. FIG. 5 is a first sideview of camera mount 120, with a second side view (perpendicular to thefirst side view) of camera mount 220 corresponding to what is depictedin FIGS. 1-3. Camera mount 220 comprises base 230 and camera support232. Those components of camera mount 120 which correspond to componentsof camera mount 20 are numbered similarly.

Base 230 is similar to base 30 except that base 230 comprises curvedguide 242 in the form of a ball or portion of a ball 244. Ball 244 hasan outer spherical surface, providing a curved guide surface 48(described above). In the example illustrated, the curved guide surfaceof ball 244 is textured. In one implementation, the outer convex curvedguide surface of ball 244 has knobs, fingers, ridges, ribs or other highfriction structures that assist in retaining camera support 232 in aselected position or orientation with respect to ball 244. In theexample illustrated, ball 244 comprises a portion of a ball having aminority outer convex spherical or rounded surface.

Camera support 232 is similar to camera support 32 except that camerasupport 232 comprises guide abutting surface 254. Guide abuttingsurfaces 254 move or slide along outer rounded surfaces of ball 244. Inthe example illustrated, guide abutting surface 254 comprises a concavecrater or minority spherical surface that abut against the convexrounded surface 246. In one implementation, guide abutting surfaces 254have a radius of curvature that corresponds to the radius of curvatureof the outer rounded surfaces 246 for close conformal nesting. In oneimplementation, guide abutting surface 154 is textured. In oneimplementation, the guide abutting surface 154 has knobs, fingers,ridges, ribs or other high friction structures that assist in retainingcamera support 232 in a selected position or orientation with respect toball 244.

As further shown by FIGS. 6 and 7, retainer 34 is symmetricallypositioned with respect to ball 244. Retainer 34 retains and biasessurface 254 against surface 248. Retainer 34 changes shape or flexes toaccommodate the different angles at which camera support 232 ispositioned along has a mouth 254 leading to a hollow interior 256.Retainer 34 extends within the hollow interior 256 and extends throughmouth 254 for connection to camera support 232. In the various positionsof camera support 232, retainer 34 extends through different portions ofmouth 254. Mouth 254 accommodates the various available positions andorientations of camera support 232.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate camera mount 320, partially disassembled orexploded. Camera mount 320 is similar to camera mount 220 describedabove. Camera mount 320 comprises base 330, camera support 332 andretainer 34 (described above). Base 330 is similar to base 230 describedabove. Base 330 comprises backing 338, mount 340 (described above) andcurved guide 342.

Curved guide 342 is similar to curved guide 242 described above. In theexample illustrated, curved guide 342 comprises a portion of a ballhaving an outer convex minority spherical surface 344. In the exampleillustrated, surface 344 can be textured with circular or annular ribsare ridges 345 that encircle the mouth 354 of ball 344. In oneimplementation, the outer surface of ball 344 has a radius of at least 2inches. In another implementation, the outer surface of ball 344 has aradius of at least 3 inches. The radius of the outer surface of ball 344provides a different angles and orientations for camera support 332 andthe supported camera 22 (shown in FIG. 7).

Camera support 332 is similar to camera support 232 described above.Camera support 330 is formed as part of the camera, forming the exteriorof the camera. In other implementations, camera support 332 may comprisea clamshell case that encloses a received camera. Camera support 332further comprises a guide abutting surface 354. Guide abutting surface354 is similar to guide abutting surface 254 described above. Guideabutting surface 354 is provided by a partial socket that comprises acavity or crater having an interior concave rounded surface. Guideabutting surface 354 comprise a minority spherical surface such thatguide abutting surface 354 does not capture ball 344 within the cavityor crater serving as the partial socket. Because guide abutting surface354 is provided by a partial socket, camera support 332 may bepositioned at a continuum of positions horizontally and verticallyproviding for adjustment (sideways, upward and/or downward). Becauseguide abutting surface 354 is provided by a partial socket, rather thana complete socket that captures a ball, camera support 332 may be easilyseparated from base 334 repair or replacement. Moreover, the overallthickness of camera mount 320 is reduced, allowing camera mount 320 moreclosely conform to the profile of the tree or other support structure soas to be less conspicuous to wildlife.

As shown by FIG. 8, retainer 34 has a first end 360 secured to a floorof the crater providing guide abutting surfaces 354 and a second end 362which may be secured to a corresponding hook 364 within the hollowinterior 356 of ball 344. Retainer 34 extends from hook 364, throughmouth 354 into connection with camera support 320. In the variouspositions and orientations, retainer 34 extends through differentportions of mouth 354 which is larger than the diameter of retainer 34.In one implementation, mouth 354 has a diameter of at least 2 inches. Inanother implementation, mouth 354 has a diameter of at least 3 inches toaccommodate the various orientations of camera support 332 relative toball 344.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate camera support 320 in an assembled state andmounted to a tree 24. FIG. 10 is a front view of camera support 320while FIG. 11 is a side view of camera support 321 supported in a firstone of a plurality of available positions and orientations relative totree 24. To adjust the positioning of camera support 320 and theenclosed camera 22 (which captures images through at least one window370), camera support 320 is pulled against the biased retainer 34 andrepositioned about the outer rounded surface of ball 344. Once locatedin a desired position and orientation, retainer 34 once again urgescamera support 332 against ball 344 in the selected position andorientation and retains camera support 332 in the selected position andorientation. Ridges 345 further assist in retaining camera support 332in the selected position and orientation. In other implementations, ball344 may have other forms of texturing or maybe form from a compressiblerubber-like material to provide high friction so as to assist inretaining camera support 332 in a selected position and orientation.

In each of the above examples, base 30, 130, 230 and 330 is illustratedas comprising a convex curved guide surface in the form of asemicircular or semi-spherical disk or plate or a ball or partial ballwhile camera support 32, 132, 232, 332 has been illustrated as havingthe opposite guide abutting surface in the form of a concave plate edgeor edges or in the form of a crater forming a partial socket having aminority spherical surface that receives or nests with the guidesurface. It should be appreciated that in other implementations, thisrelationship may be reversed. For example, base 30, 130, 230 and 330 mayalternatively support a guide abutting surface in the form of a concaveplate edge or edges or in the form of a crater forming a partial sockethaving a minority spherical surface that receives or nests while camerasupport 32, 132, 232, 332 comprises a convex curved guide surface in theform of a semicircular or semi-spherical disk or plate or a ball orpartial ball.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a side perspective view of an additionalalternate embodiment of a camera mount 420 is shown. In this embodiment,a secondary base 510 is provided selectively coupled to base member 430.A lock anchor 584 carried by the secondary base 510 is threaded througha void on the base 430, and a lock void 582 can carry a lock such as apadlock (not shown in this view). A strap mounting clip 490 is carriedby base 430, and this clip can carry a strap to be coupled about asupport structure such as a tree (described later).

Camera support housing 432 carries windows 470 as described previously,preferably covered by bills 472 to assist with preventing rain, debris,and snow buildup. A preferably hinged roof 480 advantageously providestop access to the camera contained within the support housing 432, withhinge pin 462 providing the coupling between the two components.

Referring now to FIG. 13, an exploded rear perspective view of thecamera mount 420 of FIG. 12 is shown. Hinged roof 480 is hinged by hinge482. Lock anchor 484 and lock void 482 provide a means for lockinghinged roof 480 and preventing access to the camera contained therein.Receiver 542 for convex surface 448 carries a spring hook anchor 464 forreceiving receiver 434. Lock void 482 in lock anchor 484 can carry alock and cable (not shown in this view). Guide abutting surface 454 cancomprise a concave series of ridges. In this embodiment, base 430carries a series of teeth 488 for mating with opposing teeth ofsecondary base 510. A pair of bar receivers 502 carry a spring retainingbar 500. A user can pull spring retainer 434, disengage bar 500 fromreceivers 502, and invert the bar through base mouth void 486 todecouple the base 430 from the camera support housing 432. Clipreceivers 542 receive secondary base retaining clips 540 carried by thesecondary base 510, and pushing inwardly on clips 540 release base 430from secondary base 510. Inserting clips 540 into receivers 542 clipsthe base 430 into engagement with the secondary base 510. Strap mountingclips 490 carry strap 40. Optionally, clip receivers 542 can carry ears544 about which a strap 40′ as shown in FIG. 20.

Referring now to FIG. 14, a front view of secondary base 510 is shown.One or more support structure coupling holes 512 receive screws 514,which are conveniently carried, when not in use, by screw clips 520.Similarly, tool 516 is carried when not in use by tool clips 518. Tool516 is used to screw screws 514 into a support structure such as a tree.

Referring now to FIG. 15, in a top view of the mount 420, teeth 488 fromeach of the secondary base 510 and base 430 matingly engage.

As shown in FIG. 16 which is a top view, with portions broken away, ofthe camera mount 420, spring retainer 434 is free to move asrotationally sliding engagement occurs during camera adjustment betweencurved convex surface 448 and its receiver 452.

Referring now FIG. 17, a method of installing camera mount 420 isdisclosed. First, tool 516 is removed from base 510, and used to screw514 into a support structure such as tree 24. Tool 516 can then bereplaced onto secondary base 510 for safekeeping. Next, as shown in FIG.18, clips 540 of the secondary base 510 can be inserted into the mountbase 430 through clip receivers 542 (not visible in this view). Next, alock can be optionally installed into lock void 582 to lock the bases510 and 430 to tree 24. If desired, as shown in FIG. 19, strap 40 can becoupled about tree 24, or as shown in FIG. 20, by clip strap 40′.

Mount 420 can be carried by a structure without a strap (FIG. 18), witha strap using clips (FIG. 19), or using ears 544 (FIG. 20) carryingstrap 40′.

FIGS. 21 and 22 show that mount 420 can be pivoted horizontally andvertically by manipulating mount 420 causing an infinitely variablepositioning mechanism. Lock and cable as shown in FIG. 22 can be used tocouple the mount to a support structure.

Referring now to FIG. 23 is a side perspective view of a camera mount420 is shown, and in FIGS. 24 and 25 are a front and side perspectiveviews of camera mount 420 as shown in FIG. 23 equipped with a protectiveskin 600, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, skin 600 is twoparts, a skin lid 601 and a housing skin 603. Housing skin 603 coverscamera support 432. Skin lid 601 can be raised and lowered along withthe lid that carries the skin lid 601, to access interior components ofthe camera. In a preferred embodiment, skin 600 can have raised patterns706 and valleys 708. Shadow casting bars 704 can be placed over portionsof the camera, such as motion detecting sensors, infrared, flash orelsewhere.

Skin 600 can be provided in several colors, such as white for winterconcealment, green for summer concealment, and tan for spring/fallconcealment.

Referring now to FIG. 26, an exploded rear view of the camera mount 420,such as shown in FIG. 13, is equipped with a protective skin 600 of FIG.24. In a preferred embodiment, a skin male clip 602 is provided on aback side of housing 432, to couple with female skin clip 604.Similarly, as shown in FIG. 27 skin lid 601 carries female skin clip 604for attaching to complementary male skin clip 601 carried on a lid ofhousing 432.

Still referring to FIG. 27, in one embodiment, camera is provided withantenna 702 for transmitting and receiving data (such as images, timestamps, and location) and commands (such as zoom or move) as will bedescribed later. Alternatively, data cable 710 can be coupled to thecamera for these purposes as well. Still alternatively, antenna port 702can be provided for these purposes as well.

If skin lid 601 is opened (along with lid portion of housing 432 thatcarries the skin lid 601), a batter box strap 714 is exposed to removebatter box 712 for battery replacement. Also exposed at this point aredata card slot 716 for placing a data card, and command buttons 718(such as battery/wifi status, on/off, batter power, and mode) whichcontrol the camera carried in the unit (not shown) which shoots throughlens 140 (FIG. 30).

Referring now to FIG. 28, the camera of FIG. 27 is shown, with a batterypack 712 removed from a top side of the camera under a hinged lid 601,by pulling strap 714. Batteries (not shown) can easily be installedbetween divider walls 720 and the battery box or pack 712 can beinstalled vertically in one contained unit. Referring to FIG. 29 a rearview of the battery pack of FIG. 28 is shown. A spare data card holder724 can be provided. Battery pop out slots 722 can be provided as well.

Referring now to Fig. a perspective view of real-time communication fromthe camera unit 728 from lens 740 to a remote viewer 732, such as aphone or display screen, identifying a camera target 734 is shown.Wireless communication 730 couples the camera unit 728 and remote viewer732.

It is a particular problem when placing trail cameras that users areunsure where their camera lens 740 is aimed. Often, hunters need to taketrial pictures and adjust the camera position repetitively until theintended target 736 is acquired. In the present invention, a user canaim lens 740, and walk remotely, holding phone 732, and stand inposition of the target 736, and adjust the camera accordingly.

Referring now to FIG. 31, real-time communication from the camera 728 toremote viewer 732 is shown, with the aim point 734 moving incoordination with movement of the camera 728 in order to focus on anintended zone 736. For instance, as shown in FIG. 31, verticaltranslation 737 and horizontal translation 738 of lens 740 (whethermechanically actuated by direction from phone 732 or manually) resultsin placement of aiming point 734 onto target 736, in other words,matching the lens 740 aiming point 734 and the target 736 so thatpictures will be taken once motion is detected by the camera unit 728 inthe correct position. This arrangement minimizes the iterative trial anderror process necessitated in the prior art.

Still referring to FIG. 31, a camera system 728 is disclosed comprisinga camera comprising a lens 740, data storage (for instance, an SD cardcarried in said card slot 716) coupled to said camera 728, a wirelessconnection 730 (e.g., a WiFI connection) between said camera 728 and aremote viewer such as a phone 732, said remote viewer 732 displaying afield of view 736 of said lens 740, a virtual aim point 734 illuminatedon said remote viewer 732, said viewer 732 simultaneously displayingsaid field of view 736 of said lens 740. Remote viewer 732 cancommunicating control signals to said camera 728 to control said lens byat least one of a zoom control 742 (FIG. 32), a vertical translation 737control and a horizontal translation 738 control. Such control on thephone/display 732 can be swipes or pinches on the screen ofphone/display 732, and those can either adjust field of view 736electronically, or by physically or mechanically actuating the camera728 by either manipulating the aim point 734 by moving the camera byhand or by internal motor. In use, a user of the phone 732 can retrieveimages from data storage on camera 728 by initiating a wireless downloadsequence, for instance by an app provided on phone 732.

Also as shown in FIG. 32, camera unit 728 can be zoomed with control ofphone 732. The result, as shown in FIG. 33, is a photo of animal 744from the camera 728 in the intended zone 734. Data including pictures,can be wirelessly uploaded from camera 728 to phone 732 using wirelessconnection 730.

An app provided on phone 732 controls camera 728 in ways not achieved bythe prior art. For instance, there is no way that prior art cameras showin real time a remote display of the intended target zone 734. Thisaiming point 734 is visible remotely by carrying phone 732 to theintended aiming point 734. This feature is particularly useful foraiming up and down hills, or for further out ranging of intended targets736, where matching target 736 and aim point 734 would otherwise bedifficult.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference toexample implementations, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the claimed subject matter. For example, although differentexample implementations may have been described as including one or morefeatures providing one or more benefits, it is contemplated that thedescribed features may be interchanged with one another or alternativelybe combined with one another in the described example implementations orin other alternative implementations. Because the technology of thepresent disclosure is relatively complex, not all changes in thetechnology are foreseeable. The present disclosure described withreference to the example implementations and set forth in the followingclaims is manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example,unless specifically otherwise noted, the claims reciting a singleparticular element also encompass a plurality of such particularelements. The terms “first”, “second”, “third” and so on in the claimsmerely distinguish different elements and, unless otherwise stated, arenot to be specifically associated with a particular order or particularnumbering of elements in the disclosure.

I claim:
 1. A camera system comprising: a motion detecting cameracomprising a lens, said motion detecting camera operable in a real timemode and a picture taking mode; a camera support housing carrying saidmotion detecting camera; a camera mount coupled to said camera supporthousing, wherein said mount comprises a base member having a rear faceand a front face; said rear face facing the front face of the basemember, the rear face of the camera mount comprising a guide abuttingsurface; and said front face comprising a curved guide surface toposition said motion detecting camera at any position within the rangepermitted by the curvature of said guide surface; a retainer holding theguide abutting surface against said curved guide surface to releasablyretain said camera mount; data storage coupled to said motion detectingcamera; a wireless connection between said motion detecting camera and aremote viewer; said remote viewer displaying a field of view of saidlens, and optionally displaying photographs transmitted across saidwireless connection; a virtual aim point illuminated on said remoteviewer, said viewer simultaneously displaying said field of view of saidlens; securing said camera mount to a supporting structure, thesupporting structure comprising a tree, wherein the mount releasablyretains the camera support at one of a plurality of different positionsalong the curved guide surface and at one of a plurality of differentavailable orientations relative to the support structure.
 2. A camerasystem according to claim 1, said camera system further comprising: saidremote viewer communicating control signals to said motion detectingcamera to control said lens by at least one of a zoom control, avertical translation control and a horizontal translation control.
 3. Acamera system according to claim 1, said motion detecting camera systemfurther comprising communicating data from said data storage to saidremote viewer.